From Ideas to Impact: Rakshita’s BizQuest Experience
Published on the 19 October 2026 by UNSW Business School EDI Team
Creating opportunities for young people to explore their ambitions beyond the traditional classroom is a key priority for UNSW Business School. Through outreach initiatives and experiential learning programs, the School aims to introduce students to new ideas, build confidence and open pathways that may shape future study and career choices.
One such initiative is BizQuest Bootcamp: Solve What’s Next, a two-day entrepreneurship program delivered by UNSW Business School for Year 10 and 11 students. The immersive experience invites participants to work with real start-up organisations, explore entrepreneurship and innovation, and develop solutions to genuine business challenges presented by industry partners Zorentia Product Studio and HealthcareLink.
In the reflection that follows, Rakshita Chidireddi, a Year 11 student, shares her experience of participating in BizQuest. From developing a business pitch for Zorentia to receiving an Industry Finalist Award, Rakshita reflects on how the program strengthened her confidence, broadened her understanding of entrepreneurship and reinforced her interest in the intersection between business and technology.
Looking back: What moments or experiences from BizQuest stand out to you most?
One of the most memorable experiences from BizQuest was participating in the icebreaker activities and working collaboratively with my team to develop and present our business pitch.
The icebreakers encouraged us to step outside our comfort zones, interact with unfamiliar faces and build connections with like-minded people. I had the opportunity to meet students from diverse backgrounds, exchange ideas and develop my communication and interpersonal skills.
Another experience that stood out was developing our business pitch. We worked together to address a real-world business challenge, taking an initial idea and transforming it into a practical and well-structured solution.
Throughout the process, we brainstormed, evaluated different approaches and considered factors such as financial viability, marketing strategies and potential risks. Each team member brought different perspectives and strengths, helping us refine our ideas and develop a stronger proposal.
Preparing for the final presentation was both exciting and challenging. We had to consolidate our ideas into a compelling pitch and communicate our solution confidently to the judges.
The challenge: What was it like to work on a genuine business challenge presented by Zorentia
Working on a genuine business challenge was one of the most valuable aspects of the BizQuest Bootcamp. It provided firsthand exposure to the complexities of solving problems faced by real businesses.
Unlike traditional classroom activities, where problems are often theoretical and have clearly defined solutions, this experience challenged us to think critically and develop solutions that were innovative, practical and commercially viable.
We had to consider customer needs, market conditions, financial feasibility, potential risks and long-term sustainability. This encouraged us to look beyond the initial problem and understand the broader business environment in which organisations operate.
Working within a limited timeframe also meant that we had to prioritise ideas, evaluate different approaches and make strategic decisions as a team. It was rewarding to see how the concepts we explored throughout the bootcamp could be applied to an actual organisational challenge.
What did you learn?
One of the most impactful pieces of advice I received was the importance of developing a product or solution around a genuine problem, rather than creating something simply for the sake of innovation.
This challenged the way I had previously thought about entrepreneurship. I realised that a successful business idea is not necessarily about creating something completely new or technologically advanced. It is about identifying an existing problem, understanding the needs of the people experiencing it and developing a solution that delivers meaningful value.
This advice influenced the way I approached our team’s challenge. Instead of immediately brainstorming products or solutions, I learnt to first understand the underlying problem, identify the target audience and consider why existing solutions may not adequately address their needs.
Working in a team: What did you learn from sharing ideas and developing a solution together?
Working collaboratively with other students highlighted the importance of considering different perspectives when approaching complex challenges. Each person brought different ideas, experiences and ways of thinking to the group. By sharing ideas, engaging in constructive discussions and challenging one another’s assumptions, we identified opportunities and risks that we might otherwise have overlooked.
The experience taught me that successful teamwork is not necessarily about having the strongest individual idea. It is about bringing together different perspectives and building on one another’s contributions to achieve a stronger collective outcome.
It also reinforced the importance of active listening, open-mindedness, effective communication and constructive feedback.
Your ideas and pitch: What did your team propose?
Our team developed and presented a business proposal for Zorentia, a technology platform that helps students transform their ideas into real software projects. Our challenge was to develop a strategy to make the platform more appealing and accessible to high school students in Years 9 to 12.
We proposed a strategy focused on student engagement, marketing, financial sustainability and school partnerships. This included gamification features such as XP, badges and rewards, AI-assisted learning tools, flexible subscription plans, targeted social media campaigns and partnerships with schools.
Presenting our pitch to the industry partner and other participants was both exciting and nerve-racking. We had to communicate our ideas clearly, justify our recommendations and demonstrate how our solution could create meaningful value.
Seeing our initial ideas develop into a structured business proposal was incredibly rewarding, especially when our team received the Industry Finalist Award.
Thinking about your future: Did BizQuest change the way you think about entrepreneurship, business or university?
BizQuest broadened my perspective on entrepreneurship and business by demonstrating how innovative ideas can be transformed into practical solutions to real-world challenges.
Before participating, I primarily viewed entrepreneurship as the process of creating and launching a product or business. However, the experience helped me recognise that successful entrepreneurship begins with identifying genuine problems, understanding customer needs and developing solutions that create meaningful value.
The program also deepened my understanding of how marketing, finance, risk management and strategic planning are interconnected. I gained a greater appreciation for the importance of balancing creativity with commercial viability and making informed decisions.
As someone interested in studying Commerce and Computer Science at university, BizQuest reinforced my interest in exploring the intersection between business and technology. It showed me how technical innovation, combined with business knowledge, can be used to develop impactful solutions.
Looking ahead: What will you take from BizQuest?
One of the key skills I hope to continue developing is effective communication. BizQuest highlighted the importance of expressing ideas clearly, actively listening to others and adapting my communication style when working with different people.
I hope to apply these skills in future group projects, class discussions and presentations, while continuing to build my confidence in public speaking.
I would highly encourage any high school student considering BizQuest to take the opportunity, regardless of whether they have prior business knowledge or experience. The program provides practical exposure to real-world business challenges while helping students develop communication, teamwork, critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
My advice would be to approach the experience with an open mind, actively participate and not be afraid to share your ideas or challenge yourself. BizQuest is not just about developing a business pitch. It is also about building confidence, forming meaningful connections and discovering new interests and possibilities for the future.